Day at the zoo

Good looking bird

Jude and Craig headed off back home on Tuesday morning, so Tom and I decided to go to Dalton Zoo for a visit (currently £1 donation entrance at the moment).  The zoo has expanded considerably since our last visit so we had lots to see and do.  First stop was the tigers - but they were being shy and we didn't see them.  Then the lions, but once again they were being shy.  We then found the snow leopards, they, luckily weren't being shy and were moving around meaning we got a great view of them.  We then headed to see the giraffes - my favourite, but they were inside their houses meaning that I couldn't take any photos.

We saw the wolves being fed and stopped quite a while to watch the pack work together to eat their dinner.


We had lunch before heading out again, this time to see the birds, and then on the little train (of course - we can't possibly visit without a trip on the train) and then to see the big cats again.  We got a glimpse of the tiger but just a glimpse - he snorted and jumped up at us which made us jump.  We then headed to see the jaguar, and found to our surprise that they had cubs and the cubs were out playing.

Very good looking jaguar

Wolves eating their lunch

Jaguar and cub

We stayed quite a while watching them - they were delightful, playful and very very cute.  I would have stayed all day watching them, but Tom dragged me on to see the snow leopards again and the lions.  This time we saw some lionesses who were coming out of their house and then going back inside again with a roar.  Tom really wanted to see the big chap but it wasn't to be, he was either shy, grumpy or not allowed outside.

We did another lap of the zoo to see our favourite animals again by now it was getting dark, the the zoo was about to close so we got ourselves a drink and then headed home.

Snow leopard

Tom on an elephant

Today was a magical day, the fact we were at the zoo and it wasn't too crowded helped, but it was Tom that made it magical.  He was absolutely delightful: great company, sweet, caring, talkative, considerate, everything you would want from him.  Sometimes I don't want him to grow anymore as I think he is just great how he is.  I'm not looking forward to when he doesn't want cuddles, doesn't want to go on day trips with me.  I hope it will be a while yet...